Modular cooler system

• US 9,500,400 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2015
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apex Coolers, LLC
• Original Assignee: Gulf Coast Cooler Company, LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Craig A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hicks, Robert J
• Application Number:
  US14/589,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20150122827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 220/23.89, 220/23.4, 220/23.2, 220/23.83, 220/915.2, 220/915.1, 220/592.03, 220/592.02, 220/4.27, 220/4.26, 624/577, 624/571, 190/18.A, 280/47.26, 280/47.24, 16/18.R, 446/127, 446/125, 446/124
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/32 Bail handles, i.e. pivoted rigid handles of generally semi-circular shape with pivot points on two opposed sides or wall parts of the conainter
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/164 and connected by interfitting hinge elements integrally with the container and the lid formed respectively
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3813 rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/026 for open-top cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/804 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/14 Refrigerator multi units
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/16 Convertible refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/38 Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/06 Movable containers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/08 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/00 Other cooling or freezing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49359 Cooling apparatus making, e.g., air conditioner, refrigerator

Abstract

An exemplary modular cooler system is provided that includes couplings that may, in one embodiment, be implemented as integrated or interfaced receptacles and corresponding inserts that allow accessory items to couple with an insulated compartment, which may be referred to as a “wet box”, and used as an insulated cooler that holds ice. The accessories may include, for example, a second compartment or “dry box” for holding items that need to be kept dry, a fishing rod holder, a shelf, a cutting board, a cup holder, a chair or seating platform, one or more dollies, or virtually any needed accessory. In one embodiment the thermal properties of the insulated compartment are enhanced with the use of one or more radiant barrier members, such as one positioned adjacent the lid of the insulated compartment.

Claims

1. A modular cooler, the cooler comprising:

an insulated internal volume defined at least partially by;

a front portion having a top end and a bottom end,

a right side portion having a top end and a bottom end,

a left side portion having a top end and a bottom end, the left side portion positioned opposite the right side portion,

a back portion having a top end and a bottom end, the back portion positioned opposite the front portion and adjacent the right side portion and the left side portion,

a bottom portion, and

a top cover portion, wherein the insulated internal volume is accessible through the top cover portion;

a first coupling defined at least partially by an outer surface of at least one of the front portion, the back portion, the right side portion, and the left side portion, the first coupling comprising a recess extending at least partially between the top end and the bottom end of the respective at least one of the front portion, back portion, right side portion, and left side portion, and the first coupling having a stop provided at an intermediate location between the top end and the bottom end of the respective at least one of the front portion, back portion, right side portion, and left side portion; and

a second coupling defined at least partially by an outer surface of at least one of the front portion, the back portion, the right side portion, and the left side portion, the second coupling extending at least partially between the top end and the bottom end of the respective at least one of the front portion, back portion, right side portion, and left side portion, and the second coupling having a stop provided at an intermediate location between the top end and the bottom end of the respective at least one of the front portion, back portion, right side portion, and left side portion.

2. The modular cooler according to claim 1, wherein the recess of the first coupling is at least partially concave.

3. The modular cooler according to claim 1, wherein the first second coupling includes at least a partially convex projection.

4. The modular cooler according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling is defined at least partially by the outer surface of the right side portion, and the second coupling is defined at least partially by the outer surface of the left side portion.

5. The modular cooler according to claim 4, wherein the first coupling includes an open end adjacent to the bottom end of the respective at least one of the front portion, back portion, right side portion, and left side portion and extending to the stop of the first coupling, and the second coupling includes an open end adjacent to the bottom end of the respective at least one of the front portion, back portion, right side portion, and left side portion and extending to the stop of the second coupling.

6. The modular cooler according to claim 5, further comprising a third coupling defined at least partially by the outer surface of the back portion, wherein the third coupling includes an open end adjacent to the top end of the back portion.

7. The modular cooler according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the first, second, and third couplings includes a partially concave recess.

8. The modular cooler according to claim 1, further comprising a rod configured to hingedly couple the top cover portion to the back portion.

9. The modular cooler according to claim 8, further comprising one or more first openings in the top cover portion and one or more second openings in the back portion, wherein the rod passes through the one or more first openings and the one or more second openings to hingedly couple the top cover portion to the back portion.

10. The modular cooler according to claim 9, further comprising one or more first protrusions on the top cover portion and one or more second protrusions on the back portion, wherein the one or more first openings are located on the one or more first protrusions and the one or more second openings are located on the one or more second protrusions.

11. The modular cooler according to claim 1, wherein the stop of the first coupling is an obstruction.

12. The modular cooler according to claim 11, wherein the obstruction is defined at least partially by a closed end of the recess.

13. A modular cooler, the cooler comprising:

an insulated internal volume defined at least partially by;

a front portion,

a right side portion,

a back portion,

a left side portion,

a bottom portion, and

a top cover portion, wherein the insulated internal volume is accessible through the top cover portion;

one or more couplings formed at least partially with an outer surface of at least one of the right side portion, the left side portion, the front portion, and the back portion; and

a first dolly operable to couple with a first one of the one or more couplings.

14. The modular cooler according to claim 13, further comprising a second dolly operable to couple with a second one of the one or more couplings.

15. The modular cooler according to claim 14, wherein the first and second dollies are coupleable to the first or second ones of the one or more couplings in a rolling mode.

16. The modular cooler according to claim 15, further comprising a first wheel on the first dolly and a second wheel on the second dolly, wherein the first and second wheels are located near the bottom portion when the first and second dollies are in the rolling mode.

17. The modular cooler system according to claim 16, wherein the first and second wheels are casters.

18. The modular cooler according to claim 14, wherein the first and second dollies are coupleable to the first or second ones of the one or more couplings in a stowed mode.

19. The modular cooler according to claim 18, further comprising a first wheel on the first dolly and a second wheel on the second dolly, wherein the first and second wheels are located near the top cover portion when the first and second dollies are in the stowed mode.

20. A method of coupling a first modular cooler to a second modular cooler, the method comprising:

providing a first cooler that includes;

a front portion,

a right side portion,

a back portion,

a left side portion,

a bottom portion,

a top cover portion, wherein an insulated internal volume of the first cooler is accessible through the top cover portion, and

a first coupling defined at least partially by an outer surface of the first cooler, the first coupling comprising a recess extending at least partially between a top end and a bottom end of the outer surface of the first cooler, and the first coupling having a stop provided at an intermediate location between the top end and the bottom end of the outer surface of the first cooler;

providing a second cooler that includes;

a front portion,

a right side portion,

a back portion,

a left side portion,

a bottom portion,

a top cover portion, wherein an insulated internal volume of the second cooler is accessible through the top cover portion, and

a second coupling defined at least partially by an outer surface of the second cooler, the second coupling extending at least partially between a top end and a bottom end of the outer surface of the second cooler, and the second coupling having a stop provided at an intermediate location between the top end and the bottom end of the outer surface of the second cooler; and

frictionally engaging the first coupling with the second coupling to secure the first cooler to the second cooler.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the recess of the first coupling is at least partially concave with an open end adjacent to the top end of the outer surface of the first cooler, and the second coupling includes at least a partially convex projection.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein frictionally engaging the first coupling with the second coupling to secure the first cooler to the second cooler further comprises sliding the at least partially convex projection through the open end of the recess of the first coupling.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the stop of the first coupling is an obstruction.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the obstruction is defined at least partially by a closed end of the recess.